U.S. patent number 8,925,176 [Application Number 13/370,800] was granted by the patent office on 2015-01-06 for structure for connecting refrigerant pipe and air conditioner having the same.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. The grantee listed for this patent is Sun Muk Choi, Eun Soo Jeon, Jae Soo Jeong, Seong Ho Kil, Seok Kyun Kim, Ji Ho Kwak, Sang Yong Lee. Invention is credited to Sun Muk Choi, Eun Soo Jeon, Jae Soo Jeong, Seong Ho Kil, Seok Kyun Kim, Ji Ho Kwak, Sang Yong Lee.
United States Patent |
8,925,176 |
Choi , et al. |
January 6, 2015 |
Structure for connecting refrigerant pipe and air conditioner
having the same
Abstract
A structure to connect a refrigerant pipe and an air conditioner
having the same, the connecting structure enabling a refrigerant
pipe to be easily connected to an indoor unit or an outdoor unit of
an air conditioner and including a refrigerant pipe through which
refrigerant flows, a socket part connected to one end of the
refrigerant pipe, and a coupling nut coupled to an outer
circumferential surface of the socket part, wherein, a socket part
is provided with a grip-ring allowing the refrigerant pipe to move
in a first direction in which the refrigerant pipe is coupled to
the socket part and preventing the refrigerant pipe from moving in
a second direction in which the refrigerant pipe is separated from
the socket part, and at least one O-ring configured to prevent
refrigerant from leaking at the socket part.
Inventors: |
Choi; Sun Muk (Suwon-si,
KR), Kwak; Ji Ho (Suwon-si, KR), Lee; Sang
Yong (Gunpo-si, KR), Jeong; Jae Soo (Suwon-si,
KR), Kil; Seong Ho (Seongnam-si, KR), Kim;
Seok Kyun (Hwaseong-si, KR), Jeon; Eun Soo
(Suwon-si, KR) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Choi; Sun Muk
Kwak; Ji Ho
Lee; Sang Yong
Jeong; Jae Soo
Kil; Seong Ho
Kim; Seok Kyun
Jeon; Eun Soo |
Suwon-si
Suwon-si
Gunpo-si
Suwon-si
Seongnam-si
Hwaseong-si
Suwon-si |
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A |
KR
KR
KR
KR
KR
KR
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
(Suwon-Si, KR)
|
Family
ID: |
45562190 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/370,800 |
Filed: |
February 10, 2012 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20120211209 A1 |
Aug 23, 2012 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Feb 21, 2011 [KR] |
|
|
10-2011-0015118 |
Jul 26, 2011 [KR] |
|
|
10-2011-0074071 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
29/464; 29/235;
29/237; 29/559; 29/468; 29/469; 29/467; 29/451; 29/281.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L
55/1152 (20130101); F24F 1/32 (20130101); F16L
19/086 (20130101); F16L 55/1108 (20130101); F25B
41/40 (20210101); Y10T 29/49904 (20150115); Y10T
29/49901 (20150115); Y10T 29/49998 (20150115); Y10T
29/49902 (20150115); Y10T 29/5367 (20150115); Y10T
29/49872 (20150115); Y10T 29/53978 (20150115); Y10T
29/53657 (20150115); Y10T 29/49826 (20150115); Y10T
29/49895 (20150115); F24F 2221/32 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B23Q
3/00 (20060101); B23P 19/04 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;29/464,466,467,468,469,235,237,271,281.5,282,559,222,451
;62/511,527 ;251/118 ;137/513.3 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2624425 |
|
Dec 1977 |
|
DE |
|
0 294 948 |
|
Dec 1988 |
|
EP |
|
1 848 912 |
|
Jul 2009 |
|
EP |
|
1848912 |
|
Jul 2009 |
|
EP |
|
2615387 |
|
Jul 2013 |
|
EP |
|
2 095 780 |
|
Oct 1982 |
|
GB |
|
2095780 |
|
Oct 1982 |
|
GB |
|
2184186 |
|
Jun 1987 |
|
GB |
|
11082848 |
|
Mar 1999 |
|
JP |
|
7606111 |
|
Dec 1977 |
|
NL |
|
Other References
Extended European Search Report for 12154108.0, mailed Jun. 18,
2012. cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report dated Jun. 13, 2013 in
corresponding European Patent Application No. 13161761.5. cited by
applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Omgba; Essama
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Staas & Halsey LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of connecting a refrigerant pipe with an assembling jig
of an air conditioner having an indoor unit and an outdoor unit,
the method comprising: preparing the assembling jig and locating a
grip-ring, a washer, at least one O-ring on an outside portion of
the assembling jig, the grip-ring configured to prevent the
refrigerant pipe from being separated, the washer configured to
prevent the O-ring from being damaged, the at least one O-ring
configured to prevent refrigerant from leaking; inserting the
assembling jig into a refrigerant pipe connection part of the
outdoor unit; coupling a coupling nut to an outer circumferential
surface of the refrigerant pipe connection part in a loosely
fastening state of the coupling nut; separating the assembling jig
from the refrigerant pipe connection part via a hole formed through
the coupling nut when the coupling nut is in the loosely fastened
state; inserting the refrigerant pipe into the refrigerant pipe
connection part by passing through through-holes, which are
respectively formed in centers of the grip-ring, the washer, and
the O-ring; and fastening the coupling nut to at least a
predetermined torque such that the coupling nut presses the O-ring
inward to the refrigerant pipe connection part.
2. A method of connecting a refrigerant pipe with an assembling jig
of an air conditioner having an indoor unit and an outdoor unit,
the method comprising: preparing an assembling jig, locating a
grip-ring, a washer, at least one O-ring on an inside portion of
the assembling jig and coupling a coupling nut on an outside
portion of the assembling jig; inserting the refrigerant pipe into
the assembling jig; separating the assembling jig from the coupling
nut, wherein in a state that a grip-ring, a washer, at least one
O-ring and the coupling nut is coupled to the outer circumference
surface of the refrigerant pipe, the grip-ring configured to
prevent the refrigerant pipe from being separated, the washer
configured to prevent the at least one O-ring from being damaged,
the at least one O-ring configured to prevent refrigerant from
leaking, and the coupling nut configured to couple the refrigerant
pipe; inserting the refrigerant pipe, the grip-ring, the washer,
and the O-ring into a refrigerant pipe connection part of the
outdoor unit in a state that the grip-ring, the washer, the O-ring,
and the coupling nut are coupled to the refrigerant pipe; fastening
the coupling nut on the refrigerant pipe to an outer side of the
refrigerant pipe connection part.
3. A method of connecting a refrigerant pipe with an assembling jig
of an air conditioner having an indoor unit and an outdoor unit,
the method comprising: preparing an assembling jig, locating a
grip-ring, a washer, at least one o-ring on an inside portion of
the assembling jig and coupling a coupling nut on an outside
portion of the assembling jig; inserting the refrigerant pipe into
the assembling jig; separating the assembling jig from the coupling
nut, wherein in a state that a grip-ring, a washer, at least one
o-ring and the coupling nut is coupled to the outer circumference
surface of the refrigerant pipe, the grip-ring configured to
prevent the refrigerant pipe from being separated, the washer
configured to prevent the at least one o-ring from being damaged,
the at least one O-ring configured to prevent refrigerant from
leaking, and the coupling nut configured to couple the refrigerant
pipe; inserting the refrigerant pipe, the grip-ring, the washer,
and the O-ring into a refrigerant pipe connection part of the
indoor unit in a state that the grip-ring, the washer, the O-ring,
and the coupling nut are coupled to the refrigerant pipe; and
fastening the coupling nut on the refrigerant pipe to an outer side
of the refrigerant pipe connection part.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the priority benefit of Korean Patent
Applications No. 10-2011-0015118, filed on Feb. 21, 2011, and No.
10-2011-0074071, filed on Jul. 26, 2011 in the Korean Intellectual
Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
BACKGROUND
1. Field
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a structure to
connect a refrigerant pipe and an air conditioner having the same,
and more particularly, to an improved structure for a refrigerant
pipe connecting an indoor unit and an outdoor unit that form an air
conditioner, and an air conditioner having the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
An air conditioner is an appliance that absorbs heat from ambient
air by evaporating refrigerant at room temperature and discharging
the absorbed heat to another system. The air conditioner includes
an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, and a capillary tube. The
evaporator cools the ambient air by evaporating the refrigerant.
The compressor compresses the refrigerant gas passing through the
evaporator with high temperature and high pressure. The condenser
condenses the refrigerant gas, which has been compressed by the
compressor, into liquid refrigerant with room temperature. The
capillary tube decreases the pressure of the liquid refrigerant
having high pressure.
Air conditioners are divided into separation type air conditioners
and integral type air conditioners. The separation type air
conditioner includes an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor
unit is installed indoors, and draws indoor air into the unit to
allow the drawn air to exchange heat with refrigerant, and
discharges the heat-exchanged air to the indoors. The outdoor unit
allows refrigerant introduced from the indoor unit to exchange heat
with outdoor air such that the refrigerant is in a state available
for heat exchange with indoor air, and then provides the
refrigerant to the indoor unit. The indoor unit and the outdoor
unit are connected to each other by a refrigerant pipe through
which refrigerant flows.
There is a need for a structure to connect a refrigerant pipe that
is easily connected, while preventing refrigerant from leaking when
the refrigerant pipe is connected to an indoor unit or an outdoor
unit, or when the refrigerant pipe is connected to another
refrigerant pipe to form an extended refrigerant pipe.
SUMMARY
Therefore, it is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a
structure to connect a refrigerant pipe and an air conditioner
having the same, the connecting structure enabling a refrigerant
pipe to be easily connected to an indoor unit or an outdoor unit of
an air conditioner.
It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a
structure to connect a refrigerant pipe, the structure improving
the hermeticity between a refrigerant pipe, which is connected to
an indoor unit or an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, and the
indoor unit and the outdoor unit, and an air conditioner having the
same.
It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a
structure to connect a refrigerant pipe implemented using a
refrigerant pipe, including aluminum or an aluminum alloy as well
as copper, and an air conditioner having the same.
Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in
the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from
the description, or may be learned by practice of the
disclosure.
In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a
structure to connect a refrigerant pipe includes a refrigerant
pipe, a socket part, and a coupling nut. The refrigerant pipe
allows refrigerant to flow therethrough. The socket part is
connected to one end of the refrigerant pipe. The coupling nut is
coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the socket part. The
socket part is provided with a grip-ring and at least one O-ring.
The grip-ring allows the refrigerant pipe to move in a first
direction in which the refrigerant pipe is coupled to the socket
part and preventing the refrigerant pipe from moving in a second
direction in which the refrigerant pipe is separated from the
socket part. The at least one O-ring is configured to prevent the
refrigerant from leaking at the socket part.
The connecting structure may further include a washer provided
between the grip-ring and the O-ring to prevent the O-ring from
being damaged.
The at least one O-ring may include a first O-ring making contact
with the washer and a second O-ring making contact with the first
O-ring to maintain a hermetic seal of the socket part in
cooperation with the first O-ring.
The socket part may include a first accommodation portion
configured to accommodate the refrigerant pipe, and a second
accommodation portion forming a step in cooperation with the first
accommodation portion and configured to accommodate the grip-ring,
the washer, and the at least one O-ring.
The second accommodation portion may include a projection
configured to prevent the coupling nut from being excessively
coupled to the socket part, the projection extending in a
longitudinal direction of the second accommodation portion.
The coupling nut may include a pressing projection configured to
press the at least one O-ring, and an accommodation groove
configured to accommodate the projection.
The refrigerant pipe may have a surface that is formed using
aluminum or an aluminum alloy which is coated with synthetic
resin.
The connecting structure may further include an assembling jig
configured to insert the grip-ring, the washer, and the at least
one O-ring into the socket part. The assembling jig includes a
coupling portion provided on an outer circumferential surface of
the assembling jig such that the coupling portion is coupled to the
grip-ring, the washer, and the at least one O-ring, and a support
protrusion protruding along a circumference of the outer
circumferential surface of the assembling jig to support the
grip-ring, the washer, and the at least one O-ring in one
direction.
The connecting structure may further include an assembling jig
configured to insert the grip-ring, the washer, and the at least
one O-ring into the socket part. The assembling jig includes a
first jig side accommodation portion provided inside the assembling
jig to accommodate the refrigerant pipe, and a second jig side
accommodation portion forming a step in cooperation with the first
jig side accommodation portion and accommodating the grip-ring, the
washer, and the at least one O-ring.
The grip-ring may include a flange provided in the shape of a ring,
and a grip piece extending radially inward from the flange.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, an air
conditioner includes a refrigerant pipe and a connection apparatus.
The refrigerant pipe is configured to connect the indoor unit to
the outdoor unit. The connection apparatus is provided on the
indoor unit or the outdoor unit to control refrigerant that inflows
and outflows into the indoor unit or the outdoor unit. The
connection apparatus includes a socket part connected to one end of
the refrigerant pipe, a grip-ring coupled to an inner
circumferential surface of the socket part to prevent the
refrigerant pipe from being separated from the socket part, at
least one O-ring disposed at a rear side of the grip-ring to
prevent refrigerant from leaking, and a connecting unit coupled to
an outer circumferential surface of the socket part to press the
O-ring.
The air conditioner may further include a washer provided between
the grip-ring and the O-ring to prevent the O-ring from being
damaged.
The refrigerant pipe may have a surface that is formed using
aluminum or an aluminum alloy coated with synthetic resin.
The at least one O-ring may include a first O-ring making contact
with the washer and a second O-ring making contact with the first
O-ring to maintain a hermetic seal of the socket part in
cooperation with the first O-ring.
The socket part may include a first accommodation portion
communicating with the refrigerant pipe; and a second accommodation
portion configured to accommodate the grip-ring, the washer, and
the at least one O-ring and provided with a projection extending in
a longitudinal direction of the second accommodation portion.
The connecting unit may include a support portion, a stepped
portion protruding from the support portion in a connecting
direction of the connecting unit such that a step is formed, a
through-hole penetrating a center of the step portion to allow the
refrigerant pipe to pass therethrough, a connecting portion
extending from a periphery of the support portion in the connecting
direction of the connecting unit, and an accommodation groove
provided between the connecting portion and the stepped portion to
accommodate the projection.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a
method of connecting a refrigerant pipe of an air conditioner
having an indoor unit and an outdoor unit is as follows. A coupling
nut is separated. The coupling nut is coupled to an outer
circumferential surface of a refrigerant pipe connection part of
the indoor unit or the outdoor unit. A grip-ring, at least one
O-ring, and a washer are inserted into the refrigerant pipe
connection part. The grip-ring is configured to prevent the
refrigerant pipe from being separated. The at least one O-ring is
configured to prevent refrigerant from leaking. The washer is
configured to prevent the O-ring from being damaged. The coupling
nut is coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the
refrigerant pipe connection part in a loosely fastening state of
the coupling nut. The refrigerant pipe is inserted into the
refrigerant pipe connection part by passing through through-holes,
which are respectively formed in centers of the grip-ring, the
washer, and the O-ring. The coupling nut is fastened to at least a
predetermined torque such that the coupling nut presses the O-ring
inward to the refrigerant pipe connection part.
The air conditioner may further include an assembling jig
configured to couple the grip-ring, the washer, and the at least
one O-ring to the refrigerant pipe connection part. The assembling
jig is inserted into the refrigerant pipe connection part in a
state that the assembling jig has the grip-ring, the washer, and
the O-ring coupled to an outer circumferential surface thereof. The
assembling jig is separated from the refrigerant pipe connection
part via a hole formed through the coupling nut when the coupling
nut is in the loosely fastened state.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a
method of connecting a refrigerant pipe of an air conditioner
having an indoor unit and an outdoor unit is as follows.
A grip-ring, at least one O-ring, a washer, and a coupling nut are
coupled to an outer circumference surface of the refrigerant pipe
of the indoor unit or the outdoor unit. The grip-ring is configured
to prevent the refrigerant pipe from being separated. The at least
one O-ring is configured to prevent refrigerant from leaking. The
washer is configured to prevent the at least one O-ring from being
damaged. The coupling nut is configured to couple the refrigerant
pipe.
The refrigerant pipe, the grip-ring, the washer, and the O-ring are
inserted into the refrigerant pipe connection part in a state that
the grip-ring, the washer, the O-ring, and the coupling nut are
coupled to the refrigerant pipe.
The coupling nut on the refrigerant pipe is coupled to an outer
side of the refrigerant pipe connection part, and the coupling nut
is fastened to at least a predetermined torque such that the
coupling nut presses the O-ring to an inner side of the refrigerant
pipe connection part.
The air conditioner may further include an assembling jig
configured to couple the grip-ring, the washer, and the at least
one O-ring to the refrigerant pipe connection part. The assembling
jig allows the grip-ring to be fixed to an outer side of the
refrigerant pipe inside the assembling jig. The assembling jig is
separated from the refrigerant pipe in a state that the grip ring
is fixed to the outer side of the refrigerant pipe.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, an
assembling jig, which is configured to connect a refrigerant pipe
to a refrigerant pipe connection part of an air conditioner having
an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, includes a first jig side
accommodation portion and a second jig side accommodation portion.
The first jig side accommodation portion is provided inside the
assembling jig to accommodate the refrigerant pipe. The second jig
side accommodation portion is configured to form a step in
cooperation with the first jig side accommodation portion and to
accommodate a separation preventing member and a leakage preventing
member. The separation preventing member is configured to prevent
the refrigerant pipe, which is connected to the refrigerant pipe
connection part, from being separated from the refrigerant pipe
connection part. The leakage preventing member is configured to
prevent refrigerant from leaking between the refrigerant pipe
connection part and the refrigerant pipe.
The separation preventing member may be a grip-ring which includes
metal and the leakage preventing member may be an O-ring which
includes rubber.
A washer may be disposed between the grip-ring and the O-ring to
prevent the O-ring from being damaged.
In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a structure
to connect a refrigerant pipe includes a refrigerant pipe
configured to allow refrigerant to flow therethrough, a socket part
connected to one end of the refrigerant pipe, and a coupling nut
coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the socket part. The
socket part is provided with a grip-ring, which is configured to
prevent the refrigerant pipe from being separated from the socket
part, and at least one O-ring configured to prevent refrigerant
from leaking at the socket part.
As described above, the embodiments of the present disclosure
simplify a process of connecting a refrigerant part, thereby
reducing the time required for the connection work.
In addition, the embodiments of the present disclosure ensure the
hermeticity between a refrigerant pipe, which is connected to an
indoor unit or an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, and the
indoor unit and the outdoor unit, thereby effectively preventing
refrigerant from leaking.
In addition, an embodiment of the present disclosure uses a
refrigerant pipe, including aluminum or an aluminum alloy, for
example, that may be coated with another material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and/or other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent
and more readily appreciated from the following description of the
embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of
which:
FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a refrigerant pipe connecting an
indoor unit and an outdoor unit that form an air conditioner.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a connection
relationship between the refrigerant pipe, and a service valve
provided on the indoor unit.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a connection state of
the service valve and the refrigerant pipe.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the refrigerant
pipe and a nipple provided on the indoor unit.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a connection
relationship between refrigerant pipes.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an assembling jig used to
connect a refrigerant pipe according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
FIGS. 7 to 10 are views showing a process of assembling the service
valve to the refrigerant pipe by use of the assembling jig
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating an assembling jig used
to connect a refrigerant pipe according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
FIGS. 12 to 15 are views showing a process of assembling the
service valve to the refrigerant pipe by use of the assembling jig
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the
present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to
like elements throughout.
FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a refrigerant pipe connecting an
indoor unit and an outdoor unit that form an air conditioner.
Referring to FIG. 1, an air conditioner 1 includes an indoor unit
10, which is installed indoors and provided with an evaporator and
a blower fan, and an outdoor unit 20, which is installed outdoors
and provided with a compressor and a condenser. The indoor unit 10
is connected to the outdoor unit 20 through a refrigerant pipe
30.
The refrigerant pipe 30 includes a high pressure refrigerant pipe
and a low pressure refrigerant pipe. A refrigerant gas is
compressed to a high pressure and a high temperature by a
compressor inside the outdoor unit 20. The refrigerant gas
experiences a heat exchange through a blower fan and a condensation
effect to form a high pressure refrigerant liquid. The high
pressure refrigerant liquid is transferred to the indoor unit
through the high pressure refrigerant pipe and then the pressure of
the refrigerant liquid is decreased by passing through an expansion
valve. Meanwhile, the refrigerant introduced to an evaporator of
the indoor unit 10 is evaporated to absorb heat from ambient air.
In this case, cool air, which is formed through the absorption of
heat by the evaporator, is discharged to the indoors through a
blower fan disposed adjacent to the evaporator, and a low pressure
refrigerant gas, which has been evaporated by the evaporator, is
transferred to the outdoor unit 20 through the low pressure
refrigerant pipe.
The refrigerant pipe 30, including the high pressure refrigerant
pipe and the low pressure refrigerant pipe is connected to the
indoor unit 10 or the outdoor unit 20, or another refrigerant pipe
30a through connection apparatuses, including a service valve 40, a
connection apparatus 140, and a connection apparatus 240.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a connection
relationship between the refrigerant pipe and a service valve
provided on the indoor unit. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view
illustrating a connection state of the service valve and the
refrigerant pipe. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view
illustrating the refrigerant pipe and a nipple provided on the
indoor unit. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a
connection relationship between refrigerant pipes.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the refrigerant pipe 30 is connected to
the outdoor apparatus 20 through the service valve 40 provided on
the outdoor unit 20.
The service valve 40 includes a valve body 42; a connecting part 44
configured to connect the valve body 42 to the inside of the
outdoor unit 20, an ON/OFF part 46 configured to open/close the
valve body, a nipple 50 configured to couple the refrigerant pipe
30 to the valve body 42, and a valve part 48 configured to
open/close between the connecting part 44 and the nipple 50.
The ON/OFF part 46 is provided at a position facing the nipple 50.
A male screw portion is formed at an end of the ON/OFF part 46 and
is screwed to a female screw portion formed inside a valve cap 46a
such that the end of the ON/OFF part 46 is hermetically sealed.
The valve part 48 is provided at a position facing the connecting
part 44. A check valve 49 is installed on the inside of the valve
part 48 to measure the pressure of refrigerant inside the valve
body 42. A valve cap 48a is coupled to an end of the valve part 48
to prevent the refrigerant from leaking.
The nipple 50 includes a socket part 52 connected to one end of the
refrigerant pipe 30, and a coupling nut 110 coupled to an outer
circumferential surface of the socket part 52.
The socket part 52 includes a first accommodation portion 56 to
accommodate the refrigerant pipe 30 and a second accommodation
portion 58 to accommodate a grip-ring 70, a washer 80, and an
O-ring 90.
The first accommodation portion 56 includes a coupling hole 56a,
which has a diameter corresponding to that of the refrigerant pipe
30 and to which the refrigerant pipe 30 is insertedly coupled, and
a refrigerant passage 56b which communicates with the connecting
part 44 and the refrigerant pipe 30 to guide refrigerant passing
through the refrigerant pipe 30 to the connecting part 44. The
refrigerant passage 56b is opened/closed by the check valve 49
provided on the valve part 48.
At an inner circumferential surface of the second accommodation
portion 58, the grip ring 70, the washer 80, and the O-ring 90 are
sequentially disposed. The grip-ring 70 serves as a separation
preventing member configured to prevent the refrigerant pipe 30
from being separated from the socket part 52. The washer 80 is
configured to prevent the O-ring 90 from being damaged. The O-ring
90 servers as a leakage preventing member configured to prevent
refrigerant from leaking between the refrigerant pipe 30 and the
socket part 52.
The grip ring 70 includes a flange 72 and a grip piece 76. The
flange 72 is provided in the shape of a ring having a through-hole
74 having a diameter corresponding to that of the refrigerant pipe
30 such that the refrigerant pipe 30 is coupled to the flange 72 by
passing through the through-hole 74. The grip piece 76 extends from
the flange 72 toward the center of the refrigerant pipe 30 while
being inclined at a predetermined angle. The grip piece 76 presses
the refrigerant pipe 30 with a predetermined pressure while being
inclined in a coupling direction of the refrigerant pipe 30 in the
direction the refrigerant pipe 30 moves when the refrigerant pipe
30 is coupled to the socket part 52. Accordingly, the grip piece 76
allows the refrigerant pipe 30 to move in the coupling direction
and not in a separation direction in which the refrigerant pipe 30
is separated from the socket part 52, thereby preventing the
refrigerant pipe 30 from being separated from the socket part
52.
The grip ring 70 may include metal, in particular, material having
superior corrosion resistance and a strength suitable to prevent
the refrigerant pipe 30 from being separated. For example, the grip
ring 70 may include stainless steel such as SUS301 to SUS304.
The O-ring 90 is provided in the form of a ring having a
through-hole 94 with a diameter corresponding to the refrigerant
pipe 30 such that the refrigerant pipe 30 is coupled to the O-ring
90 by passing through the through-hole 94. The O-ring 90 is
disposed at a rear side of the grip-ring 70 to prevent refrigerant
from leaking. The O-ring 90 may include rubber that can
hermetically seal the inside of the socket part 52.
In addition, the O-ring 90 may be provided as a plurality of
O-rings, including a first O-ring 96, which makes contact with the
washer 80, and a second O-ring 98, which is disposed at a rear side
of the first O-ring 96. The second O-ring 98 enables the inside of
the socket part 52 to be hermetically sealed even if the first
O-ring 96 is damaged due to internal friction. The second O-ring 98
may be provided in plural depending on the size of the socket part
52 and the hermeticity of the inside of the socket part 52.
The washer 80 is provided in the form of a ring having a
through-hole 84 with a diameter corresponding to that of the
refrigerant pipe 30 such that the refrigerant pipe 30 is coupled to
the washer 80 by passing through the through-hole 84. The washer 80
is disposed between the grip-ring 70 and the O-ring 90 to prevent
the O-ring 90 from being damaged.
When the grip-ring 70, which may include metal, and the O-ring 90,
which may include rubber, are strongly pressed while making contact
with each other, the O-ring 90 may be easily damaged due to the
difference in hardness between the grip-ring 70 and the O-ring 90.
In addition, since a contact area between the grip-ring 70 and the
O-ring 90 is small, the damage of the O-ring 90 may be further
increased. The washer 80 includes material having a hardness lower
than that of the grip-ring 70 and has a larger contact area with
the O-ring 90 than a contact area between the grip-ring 70 and the
O-ring 90, thereby effectively preventing the O-ring 90 from being
damaged.
Meanwhile, the second accommodation portion 58 includes a
projection 59 extending in a longitudinal direction of the second
accommodation portion 58. The projection 59 makes contact with an
accommodation groove 118 formed in the coupling nut 110 to prevent
the coupling nut 110 from being excessively coupled to the socket
part 52.
The coupling nut 110 is coupled to the outer circumferential
surface of the socket part 52 such that the grip-ring 70, the
washer 80, and the O-ring 90 are pressed against the inside of the
socket part 52, thereby completely fixing the refrigerant pipe 30
to the socket part 52.
In order for the coupling nut 110 to apply pressure to the grip
ring 70, the washer 80, and the O-ring 90, a male screw portion 58a
is formed in the second accommodation portion, and a female screw
portion 114a is formed in the inner circumferential surface of the
coupling nut 110 such that the socket part 52 is screwed to the
coupling nut 110.
The coupling nut 110 includes a support portion 112, a connecting
portion 114, a pressing projection 116, an accommodation groove
118, and a through-hole 120. The connecting portion 114 extends
from a periphery of the support portion 112 in the coupling
direction of the coupling nut 110. The pressing projection 116
projects from the support portion 112 in the coupling direction of
the coupling nut 110 to press a rear side of the O-ring 90. The
accommodation groove 118 is configured to the projection 59
provided on the second accommodation portion 58. The through-hole
120 has a diameter corresponding to the refrigerant pipe 30 such
that the refrigerant pipe 30 is coupled to the coupling nut 110 by
passing through the through-hole 120.
The female screw portion 114a is formed on an inner circumferential
surface of the connecting portion 114 to correspond to the male
screw portion 58a formed on the outer circumferential surface of
the socket part 52 such that the coupling nut 110 is screwed to the
socket part 52.
The pressing projection 116 projects from the support portion 112
in the coupling direction of the coupling nut 110 while forming a
step in cooperation with the support portion 112. The pressing
projection 116 has a length that allows the O-ring 90 to be
compressed with a width reduction of approximately 20% to 30% when
the pressing projection 116 compresses the rear side of the O-ring
90 such that the coupling nut 110 is completely coupled to the
socket part 52. As the width of the O-ring 90 pressed by the
pressing projection 116 is reduced, the O-ring 90 is flattened, and
thus the inside of the socket part 52 is more securely sealed.
The accommodation groove 118 is provided on a support surface
between the connecting portion 114 and the pressing projection 116.
The accommodation groove 118 accommodates the projection 59 in a
state that the coupling nut 110 is coupled to the socket part 52.
As described above, the accommodation groove 118 makes contact with
the projection 59 to prevent the coupling nut 110 from being
excessively coupled to the socket part 52. Before the coupling nut
110 is excessively coupled to the socket part 52, the accommodation
groove 118 makes contact with the projection 59 to prevent the
coupling nut 110 from moving in a direction in which the
refrigerant pipe 30 is coupled, thereby preventing the grip-ring
70, the washer 80, and the O-ring 90 from being excessively pressed
by the pressing projection and damaged.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the refrigerant pipe 30 may be
connected to the indoor unit 10 and another refrigerant pipe 30a
through the connection apparatuses 140 and 240, respectively. Each
of the connection apparatuses 140 has the same structure as that of
the nipple provided on the service valve 40, and detailed
description thereof will be omitted.
Meanwhile, the refrigerant pipe 30, which is used in the structure
to connect a refrigerant pipe according to the embodiment of the
present disclosure, may have a surface including aluminum, an
aluminum alloy, or copper, which is generally used in an air
conditioner, and may be coated with a synthetic resin.
As described above, the structure to connect a refrigerant pipe
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure does not
require processing an end portion of the refrigerant pipe 30 to
couple the refrigerant pipe 30 to the nipple 50. In addition, the
structure to connect a refrigerant pipe according to the embodiment
of the present disclosure allows the use of aluminum or an aluminum
alloy coated with synthetic resin as material of the refrigerant
pipe 30, so that the material cost is reduced, and corrosion is
prevented, thereby providing improved reliability.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an assembling jig used to
connect a refrigerant pipe according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
Referring to FIGS. 6 to 10, the grip-ring 70, the washer 80, and
the O-ring 90 are inserted into the second accommodation portion 58
of the socket part 52 through an assembling jig 160.
The assembling jig 160 includes a coupling portion 162, a support
protrusion 164, and a handle 166. The coupling portion 162 is
formed at an outer circumferential surface of the assembling jig
160 to couple to the grip-ring 70, the washer 80, and the O-ring
90. The support protrusion 164 protrudes along a circumference of
the outer circumferential surface of the assembling jig 160 to
support the grip-ring 70, the washer 80, and the O-ring 90. The
handle 166 is configured to allow the assembling jig 160 to be
held.
The coupling portion 162 is provided in the form of an approximate
cylinder having a diameter corresponding to the through-holes 74,
84, and 94, which are formed through the grip-ring 70, the washer
80, and the O-ring 90, respectively. The support protrusion 164
protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the coupling
portion 162 by a predetermined length to prevent the grip-ring 70,
the washer 80, and the O-ring 90 from being separated from the
coupling portion 162 when the assembling jig 160 is inserted into
the socket part 52.
As described above, the grip-ring 70, the washer 80, and the O-ring
90 are simultaneously coupled, thereby preventing erroneous
assembling.
Hereafter, a process of assembling the service valve 40 to the
refrigerant pipe 30 will be described in detail.
Referring to FIGS. 7 to 10, the coupling nut 110 coupled to the
socket part 52 is separated, and then the assembling jig 160 having
the grip-ring 70, the washer 80, and the O-ring 90 coupled thereto
is inserted into the second accommodation portion 58 of the socket
part 52.
Thereafter, the coupling nut 110 is again coupled to the socket
part 52 in a state that the assembling jig 160 is inserted into the
socket part 52. In this case, the coupling nut 110 is not
completely coupled. In this state, the assembling jig 160 inserted
into the socket part 52 is separated by passing through the
through-hole 120 of the coupling nut 110, but the grip-ring 70, the
washer 80, and the O-ring 90, which are supported by the pressing
projection 116, are not separated.
After the assembling jig 160 is separated, the refrigerant pipe 30
is inserted into the socket part 52 through the through-hole 120.
At this time, the refrigerant pipe 30 is completely inserted to the
first accommodation portion 56 formed in the socket part 52. Since
the refrigerant pipe 30 is sequentially guided by the through-holes
120, 74, 84, and 94 and the coupling hole 56a, a worker easily
inserts the refrigerant pipe 30.
Thereafter, in a state that the refrigerant pipe 30 is completed
inserted into the socket part 52, the coupling nut 110 is
completely fastened to the socket part 52 by use of a tool such as
a spanner, for example.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating an assembling jig used
to connect a refrigerant pipe according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure. FIGS. 12 to 15 are views showing a process of
assembling the service valve to the refrigerant pipe by use of the
assembling jig according to the embodiment of the present
disclosure.
Referring to FIGS. 11 to 15, the grip-ring 70, the washer 80, and
the O-ring 90 are inserted into the second accommodation portion 58
of the socket part 52 in a state that the grip-ring 70, the washer
80, and the O-ring 90 are coupled to the refrigerant pipe 30
through an assembling jig 260.
The assembling jig 260 includes a first jig side accommodation
portion 256 to accommodation the refrigerant pipe 30 and a second
jig side accommodation portion 258 to accommodate the grip-ring 70,
the washer 80, and the O-ring 90.
The assembling jig 260 is provided at an outer circumferential
surface thereof with a male screw portion 264 to which the coupling
nut 110 is screwed.
The first jig side accommodation portion 256 has a jig-side
coupling hole 256a having a diameter corresponding to that of the
refrigerant pipe 30 such that the refrigerant pipe 30 is inserted
into the jig-side coupling hole 256a.
The second jig-side accommodation portion 258 has an inner
circumferential surface on which the grip-ring 70, the washer 80,
and the O-ring 90 are sequentially disposed and coupled. The second
jig-side accommodation portion 258 is provided at an end thereof
with a jig-side projection 259 that extends in a longitudinal
direction of the second jig-side accommodation portion 258. The
jig-side projection 259 makes contact with the accommodation groove
118 of the coupling nut 110 to prevent the coupling nut 110 from
being excessively coupled to the assembling jig 260.
The assembling jig 260 is provided in a state that the grip-ring
70, the washer 80, and the O-ring 90 are coupled to the inner side
of the assembling jig 260, and the coupling nut 110 is coupled to
the outer side of the assembling jig 260. If the refrigerant pipe
30 is inserted into the assembling jig 260 having the grip-ring 70,
the washer 80, the O-ring 90, and the coupling nut 110 assembled
thereto, the grip-piece 76 of the grip-ring 70 is fixed to the
refrigerant pipe 30 while pressing the refrigerant pipe 30 in an
opposite direction to the coupling direction of the refrigerant
pipe 30, and the washer 80 and the O-ring 90 are disposed on a
circumferential surface of the refrigerant pipe 30 between the
grip-ring 70 and the coupling nut 110. Accordingly, after the
inserting of the refrigerant pipe 30 is completed, even if the
assembling jig 260 is separated, the grip-ring 70, the washer 80,
the O-ring 90, and the coupling nut 110 remain coupled to the
refrigerant pipe 30. The refrigerant pipe 30 having the grip-ring
70, the washer 80, the O-ring 90, and the coupling nut 110 coupled
thereto is coupled to the socket part 52 of the service valve
40.
As described above, the assembling jig 260 allows the grip-ring 70,
the washer 80, and the O-ring 90 to be simultaneously coupled,
thereby preventing an erroneous assembly and reducing the time
required to connect the refrigerant pipe 30.
Hereinafter, a process of assembling the service valve 40 to the
refrigerant pipe 30 by use of the assembling jig 260 is described
in detail.
Referring to FIGS. 12 to 15, the refrigerant pipe 30 is inserted
into the assembling jig 260 with a predetermined pressure in a
state that the grip-ring 70, the washer 80, the O-ring 90, and the
coupling nut 110 are coupled to the assembling jig.
The assembling jig 260 is separated in a state that the grip-ring
70, the washer 80, the O-ring 90, and the coupling nut 110 are
coupled to the refrigerant pipe 30. The refrigerant pipe 30 having
the grip-ring 70, the washer 80, the O-ring 90, and the coupling
nut 110 coupled thereto is coupled to the service valve 40 until
the refrigerant pipe 30 is completely inserted into the first
accommodation portion 56 of the socket part 52.
In a state that the refrigerant pipe 30 is completely inserted into
the socket part 52, the coupling nut 110 is completely fastened to
the socket part 52 by a tool such as a spanner, for example.
Although a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been
shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in
the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without
departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the
scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *